People

  • Hal Ito

    President

    Knock and the door will be opened to you; or maybe just dust comes out (no harm anyway).

    What makes Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra stand out is the fact that while all the members are world-class soloists individually they can multiply the power by their perfect orchestration as a whole team.

    15 sumo wrestlers cannot make a strong rugby team unless they learn how to do a team play. Even if they are very close friends 5 kids in a kindergarten cannot sing like Jackson 5 unless each receives good voice training.

  • Masaki Honda

    Executive Creative Director

    Life is a comedy

    Charlie Chaplin said “Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot”. I hope life will be a comedy even if it’s in close-up.
    I love watching manzai (Japanese style stand-up comedy), funny movies (“Galaxy Quest” is my all-time favorite), making jokes, making fun of meerkat.., all the things that make me laugh.

    I also love “advertising” and have been writing a blog named “Koukoku no Ana” which seeks for brilliant ideas.

  • Shuhei Ishikawa

    Managing Director

    IF YOU WANT IT, WORK FOR IT.

    Even if “Plan A” didn’t work, the alphabet still has 25 more letters! The more complex the business problems are, the more I like to tackle them. When I want to clear my mind, I simply go traveling. It always brings balance to my work and life 🙂

  • Tsuyoshi Oyama

    Art Director

    Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

    What I love about my work is that I am able to work with creative and inspirational people who are craving to change the world. Also, because I am in an international ad agency in Tokyo, I enjoy working with people from different cultural backgrounds. Some other things I love are jam sessions (guitar, bass, drums… I’d play anything!), hunting cap, and super chilled “Dassai” (Japanese Sake).

  • Masanao Takahashi

    Business Director

    Wherever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.

    “Advertising makes our life richer”, when I joined the adverting agency my senior associate told me this phrase. I still have trust in this. I love the moment when our idea makes a movement in our life; that’s why I’m here.

    To create an idea – sometimes that is tough, but playing football, snowboarding, golf, guitar and of course having a beer gives me a break and inspiration!

  • Haruko Kuzuya

    Creative Director / Senior Copywriter

    In other words “Fly me to the moon”, by Bart Howard

    The famous song says “Poets often use many words to say a simple thing”,

    I say it’s not just for poets.

    “I love you” becomes “ Fill my heart with song, and let me sing forever more” in a song, also becomes “The moon is blue, isn’t it?” in the story of Soseki Natsume.

    I think neither is the correct answer for everyone, but can be the right answer for someone, it’s only up to whom and how I talk to.

    Maybe that’s why wondering in the forest of the words gives me the endless fun, I will never get bored with.

  • Kaori Yatsu

    Head of Planning / D&I Officer

    To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. The Optimist Creed

    I’m a big fan of baseball, because it’s all about the power of teamwork.

     

    Actually, it is applied to the agency business as well. When we work together toward a common vision, the power of each individual becomes much stronger.

  • Ayami Morita

    ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR

    Hitch your wagon to a star. Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    I’m a dreamer. I’m always curious about new things and new possibilities, and wonder if there are better tools to use.

  • CHIHIRO MAKINO

    Designer

    The only person you destined to become is the person you decide to be. Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Born and raised in Tokyo, I studied design in California for several years.

    “I have a theory that movies operate on the level of dreams, where you dream yourself.” – Meryl Streep

    I too believe that the right movie has the ability to transport us to another world and expand our horizon. Every scene exposes us to countless great experiences. This is a source of inspiration for not only my next travel destination, but also of who I want to become. It also realizes things I’ve never thought possible to become a reality! Besides watching movies, I like yoga, traveling, discovering good bakeries and cafés in my spare time!

  • AKI ARAOKA

    Account Supervisor

    All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney

    I have spent nearly half of my life living in sunny states: Hawaii, California, and Florida. However, people find this funny because my skin is so pale and I don’t know how to surf.

    With a background in film editing, my previous job was at a Japanese advertising agency in charge of global clients.

    I’ve been a self-proclaimed Mouseketeer all my life. Sure, I love watching all the movies (and know all the songs), but there’s much more to it. Not only am I excited to learn about his accomplishments and behind-the-scenes of the “magic-making”, I’ve gained great inspiration from Walt. He has  taught me to smile, be creative, open new doors, and to have the courage to pursue my dreams and goals.

    I also love watching classical films from the 50’s, and have been teaching myself how to sew because I want dress like those elegant and glamorous ladies from the films. My motto is, “If you can’t find it at the store, make it yourself!”

  • KEIKO ISHIZEKI

    Account Supervisor

    If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? Steve Jobs

    I choose to ask the reason first just as my friends do for me, before getting upset about anything.

    I choose doing the best for myself before complaining or criticizing others, for that’s a shortcut to solving difficulties.
    And, I would like to choose positive words, attitude and action at any circumstances.

    Because life is too short for anything else.

  • KOSEI KOBAYASHI

    Copy Writer & Creative Planner

    SO THAT GENIUS, MORE ACCURATELY, IS RETENTION OF CAPACITY TO BE OBSESSED. Steven Millhauser, Edwin Mullhouse: The Life and Death of an American Writer

    Being obsessed with something is the engine of my life.

    I had been obsessed with soccer in my school days.

    And today, I am obsessed with copywriting and manzai (Japanese style stand-up comedy).

     

     

  • HIROKO FUJIWARA

    Online Manager

    Always manage your headspace to work through things, and don't forget to smile!

    Hiroko has majored in Geology in university, with a specialization in mountain hazards. After graduation, she started her career in Fujitsu as a SE. She then took a leap of faith and flew to Paris where she dove head first into the world of her dreams: Fashion. As a part of a press team at a fashion Maison, she experienced running the famous Paris Collection, working in brand management, and media promotion planning.

    Utilizing her media communication experience and IT skills, she joined Proximity Japan in the BMW web support division and became involved with  Web, Social, and digital media project planning/management. Now, at BBDO Japan, she specializes in Digital campaign management including brand websites and social media.

  • Taki Hiroaki

    Creative Planner / Associate Planning Director

    I’m not afraid of computers taking over the world. They’re just sitting there. I can hit them with a two-by-four. Thom Yorke

    I have been in the advertising field since my very first job.

    I always keep in mind that advertising is not about just simply marketing products and services but it’s about ultimately making an impression on people’s minds and leaving an imprint in their emotion. Only when those two conditions are met, does it have the power to successfully move people.

    I try to live creatively, and think creatively—immersing in the world of music, photography, and more!

  • Chihiro Takigami

    Art Director

    Find some humor in your failures. Sam Walton

    I have all-around design experience; from advertising to events; as well as packaging, book and logo design.

    Because I enjoy engaging in imaginative thinking, I get excited by the process of bringing creative ideas to shape.

  • Masahide Yoshimi

    Creative Director

    If you knew how much work went into it, you would not call it genius. Michelangelo

    It’s said that Michelangelo never stopped learning—studying at university even at the age of 60.

    What do I need to learn to create great advertisement?

    Contemplating on this in the bath every day, I drift off to sleep.

  • Chiaki Shintomi

    Account Director

    Love the life you live, Live the life you love. / 自分の生きる人生を愛せ。自分の愛する人生を生きろ。 Bob Marley / ボブ・マーリー

    Live my own life that I can be proud of – that is not to compromise and do the best I can. I keep in mind to myself being honest and having a view to envision and understand others.
    I am a big believer of teamwork and challenging spirit. Teamwork makes impossible possible to earn an excellent result

     

    自分らしく生きること、そして、正々堂々と胸を張れる生き方。それは自分ができる最大限に挑み後悔をしないこと、そしていつも誠実でいて相手の立場に立っての視野を持つこと。
    チャレンジしていく精神とチームワークで、個では成し得ることができない成果を目指したい。

  • Naoki Maeda

    Senior Account Exective

    Life is short, the main street is the way we shold walk down / 命短し、目抜き通りを歩こう Ringo Sheena / 椎名林檎

    The time is the only thing all of us fairly have for our life, I hopefully would like to smile all the time in my life then:)

     

    仕事でもプライベートでも時間は有限なので、少しでも楽しい事をヘラヘラしながら過ごしていたいなと。

  • Testuo Nishimaki

    Associate Planning Director

    Today is the youngest day of my life / 人生で今日が一番若い日 Osamu Hayashi / 林修

    I think everyone thinks, “If only I had done this when I was younger…”, but I can have the courage to take action on the challenges I can take on today so that I don’t feel that way five or ten years from now.

     

    「若い時にこうしておけば・・・」と思うことは誰でもあることだと思いますが、5年後、10年後そういう思いをしないために今日できるチャレンジを行動に移す勇気を持てるから。

  • Kenichiro Watai

    Group Account Director

    If you can dream it, you can do it. / 夢見ることができれば、それは実現できる。 Walt Disney / ウォルト・ディズニー

    You can only live once. I want to spend a life where I always hold onto my dreamsand steadily do what I want to do, whether it is work or play.

     

    たった一度きりの人生。いつも夢を持ち続けて、仕事も遊びもやりたいことを着実にこなす人生にしていきたいですね。

  • Tristan Taka Gosset

    Account Supervisor / Producer

    Observe, Listen, then Speak (Titiro, Whakarongo, Korero) Māori proverb

    I believe in the importance of obvserving, listening and being aware of your suroundings, before speaking and taking action.

  • Sachiko Okamoto

    Account Supervisor / Producer

    Creativity is just connecting things./ 創造力とは、ただ物事を繋ぎ結びつけることだ。 Steve Jobs / スティーブ・ジョブズ

    Most favorite movie, most favorite food, most favorite word.
    I think it is very difficult to choose one. Efficiency is important, but so is taking detours. I trust that I am shaped by connecting the dots from my various experiences. Don’t regret what you didn’t do, Trust your sensibilities and choices, and enjoy today!

     

    好きな映画を１つ、好きな食べ物を１つ、好きな言葉を１つ。
    １つを選ぶというのはとても難しいことだと思います。
    効率も大事ですが、回り道をすることも大事です。いろいろな経験で得た点を結んで、自分の思考も自分の人生も形づくられるものだと思います。やらなかったことを後悔しないように、自分の感性や選択を信じて、この瞬間を楽しみましょう！

     

     

  • Akane Iida

    Account Supervisor

    Love your enemies. / 汝の敵を愛せよ Matthew 5:44. / マタイ5章44節

    By striving to understand the other person’s position and feelings, we can reduce conflict and hatred, leading to happiness for ourselves and others. Words that have been engraved in my mind since secondary school, as they are linked to the Christian doctrine of original sin and are the ultimate self-discipline in seeking salvation and healing from sin.

     

    相手の立場や感情を理解しようと努めることで、争いや憎しみを減らし、自分や他者の幸せにつながる。キリスト教の原罪の教義と結びつき、罪からの救いと癒しを求める究極の自戒であるため、中学時代から心に刻んでいる言葉。

  • Yuki Yamauchi

    Copywriter / Creative Planner

    It's not about acquiring happiness. It's about acquiring a heart that can feel happiness. / 幸せを手に入れるんじゃない。幸せを感じることのできる心を手に入れるんじゃ。 Hiroto Kōmoto, "Poetry of the Sewer Rat" / 甲本ヒロト『ドブネズミの詩』

    According to research by a psychologist, it appears that 10% of happiness comes from our environment, while the remaining 90% depends on how our brain perceives the world. Perspective is indeed important.

     

    ある心理学者の研究によると、幸福感は10％が環境によるもの、残り90％は脳が世界をどう捉えるか次第なのだそうです。ものの見方は大事ですね。

  • Yasuaki Terasawa

    Account Director

    Always look on the bright side of life. / 常に人生の明るい面を見よう Monty Python: 'Life of Brian' / モンティ・パイソン：「ライフ・オブ・ブライアン」

    Keeping positive mental attitude is my priority.

     

    どんな時でもポジティブな気持ちを忘れないことを大事にしています。

  • Yuhei Suzuki

    Art Director

    Football is great because you always have another opportunity to change history. / サッカーは素晴らしい。歴史を変えるチャンスが常にあるからだ。 Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima / ロナウド・ルイス・ナザーリオ・デ・リマ

    Rephrasing football in different terms makes it seem like
    everything is teeming with possibilities. This applies to
    science, healthcare, education, and even hobbies.
    “Advertising” is no exception.
    サッカーを別の言葉で言い換えると、すべてのものが可能性に満ち溢れているように感じる。科学でも、医療でも、教育でも、趣味でも。「広告」もそうだ。

  • koji oishi

    DESIGNER

    It’s kind of fun to do the impossible. / 不可能なことに取り組むのは、楽しいものだ。 Walt Disney / ウォルト・ディズニー

    You only live once, so I want to take on the challenge without any regrets.

     

    一度きりの人生、悔いのないように挑戦していきたいと思います。

  • Kenji Saito

    Senior Producer

    Since even good people can die peacefully, it goes without saying that evil people can die peacefully! / 善人なおもて往生をとぐ、いわんや悪人をや Tannisho, Chapter 3 / 『歎異抄』第3章

    I like it as an affirmation of human weakness.

     

    人の弱さを肯定する言葉として好きです